A Message from Mayor Stimpson - October 28
Oct 28th, 2020
Good evening,
It is 7 p.m. on Wednesday, October 28, and I am writing to give you an update from the City of Mobile. Today, the Mobile County Health Department reports 17,141 COVID-19 cases, an increase of 68 cases. To read a detailed report, click here.
By the time this email finds your inbox, our area should be feeling the effects of Hurricane Zeta. According to the latest information from the National Weather Service, Mobile is likely to see tropical storm force winds. Impacts from the storm are expected to begin this evening and continue into early Thursday morning. Conditions are expected to quickly improve after daybreak.
Ahead of Zeta, the city deployed additional assets to collect as much debris as possible left over from Hurricane Sally last month. However, we know there is still debris on the ground. Our crews are ready and awaiting orders to restart their collection efforts as soon as it is safe to do so. We'll also be staying in close contact with Alabama Power as they work to restore power, if needed.
All non-emergency city operations were suspended at noon today due to the threat of Hurricane Zeta, but we plan to have all of our services back online by noon on Thursday, Oct. 29th.
As a reminder, there will also be no garbage collection on Thursday. Make up for garbage will occur on Saturday October 31st. We have also stopped accepting bagged yard debris at James Seals Community Center and Langan Municipal Park until noon on Thursday. The city's recycling drop-off locations, which are both temporarily closed, will be reopening tomorrow at noon as well.
After the storm has passed, I hope you don't forget about our special Halloween event this weekend. COVID-19 has impacted a lot of trick-r-treating plans, but our Parks and Recreation Department has created a fun way for children and families to celebrate the occasion while practicing social distancing.
From 10 a.m. to Noon on Saturday, Oct. 31, the City of Mobile, along with more than 25 organizations, will be hosting a "Reverse Trunk or Treat" in Langan Municipal Park at 4901 Zeigler Blvd. If your family wants to participate, simply show up with your children, drive slowly through the park, and members of our team will be there to bring the treats right to your car!
I had intended to use this letter to talk more about the ways that opioids have impacted our community, but unfortunately Hurricane Zeta has taken precedent for the time being. However, I would like to leave you with this. This week, we learned about the mother of a deceased opioid victim who called and forgave the dealer who sold her son the drugs that killed him. I have thought about that many times since then, and it reminded me of a message from one of Sarah Young's daily devotionals that I hope will resonate with you as well. The message is derived from the verse, "Forgive as the Lord forgave you."
"Do not expect to be treated fairly in this life. People will say and do hurtful things to you, things that you don't deserve. When someone mistreats you, try to view it as an opportunity to grow in grace. See how quickly you can forgive the one who has wounded you. The key to forgiving others is remembering how much God has forgiven you. Don't be concerned about setting the record straight. Instead of obsessing about other people's opinions of you, keep your focus on God. Ultimately, it is his view of you that counts."
When we wake tomorrow morning, I'm praying that the damage to our area from Hurricane Zeta will be minimal. Meantime, stay alert and stay safe!